Chapter 77: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 37

Therefore, the vast majority of young wizards merely followed the steps mechanically,

and only once they became proficient would the wonders of potion-making gradually reveal themselves.

Wizard Sean, however, had already completely immersed his mind and spirit in this mysterious branch of magic.

Skilled ingredient preparation, flawless heat control, moderate stirring force, and strict brewing times...

The cauldron bubbled with a gurgling sound,

while Jia Jia Siting watched intently, recording every step and serving as Wizard Sean's assistant,

handing him ingredients and keeping track of the time.

While the crowd of young wizards fumbled clumsily with their ingredients,

Wizard Sean and his partner had already added the final porcupine quills.

Professor Snape keenly noticed this extraordinary progress; his gloomy, sharp gaze fixed upon the cauldron.

In an instant, he could deduce the fate of this potion: passable, yet unremarkable.

He snorted coldly and shifted his gaze away.

"It is time."

Wizard Sean's potion brewing had reached its final and most critical stage.

What recalled in his mind was not the century-old ritual,

but the unrecognized breakthrough of Master Libatius Borage.

Wizard Sean spoke the incantation, and the ritual began;

this was his first time truly employing the improved ritual.

His will was more focused than ever before; he seemed to be embodying a potioneer painstakingly brewing a cure for boils.

As this emotion flowed naturally, the potion underwent an essential transformation at that very moment.

The original blue-green liquid turned viscous, and within the jelly-like concoction, not a single impurity could be seen.

[You have successfully brewed a pot of Cure for Boils to the standard of a proficient hand. Proficiency +10]

Jia Jia Siting's breath had halted; he compared this cauldron of potion with Professor Snape's example from memory with intense focus—

there was hardly any difference.

"Wizard Sean, did we succeed?"

he asked in a small, nervous voice.

"Mm."

Deep exhaustion washed over him, a sensation akin to having gone three days without sleep.

Master Libatius Borage was truly rigorous.

"Fantastic! I knew we could do it!"

Jia Jia Siting let out a huge sigh of relief and carefully decanted the potion into a crystal vial.

Then, holding his head high and chest out, he awaited Professor Snape's inspection.

Completely unlike the last time, when he had been trembling with fear and pale-faced,

this change even brought a smile to the face of the exhausted Wizard Sean.

"Have you finished?"

At this moment, Wizard Sean saw Michael peeking over, and beside him, Terry belatedly cast a glance as well.

"Of course, Wizard Sean brewed a perfectly—"

Jia Jia Siting's words stuck in his throat,

for a dark cloud had swept in.

Professor Snape's tall figure blocked out the sunlight, and his icy gaze naturally silenced the surrounding young wizards.

"Perfectly—"

Professor Snape lifted the crystal vial; the curve of mockery had just begun to form on the corner of his mouth when it miraculously faded.

He was almost stunned.

If the Cure for Boils from earlier was merely passable, then this one had already reached the threshold of excellence.

Terrifying progress...

"Barely passable—"

Professor Snape set down the crystal vial, his voice sounding as if squeezed out from his throat.

"One point each."

Immediately, his robes swirled, and he swept away.

"Did I hear that correctly..."

Michael's eyes widened.

The surrounding circle of young wizards also looked over in disbelief.

"Wonderful, Wizard Sean, we've earned back the points we lost."

Jia Jia Siting appeared extremely excited; it seemed he had been very concerned about the point deduction all along.

Wizard Sean simply nodded, his gaze falling upon the panel:

[Cure for Boils: Unlocked (15/30)]

It was already halfway there; if he could maintain this level of proficient brewing, he would unlock the Potioneer title after just two more attempts.

If Professor Snape awarding points to Ravenclaw was merely a minor incident,

then in Michael's retelling,

it became Professor Snape giving Wizard Sean two hundred Jin Jin Jialong and even stir-frying two dishes for him.

The rumors persisted until the History of Magic class in the afternoon.

The History of Magic class had essentially transformed into a session of unrestrained, atmosphere-filled gossip.

Although the young wizards were not discussing only Wizard Sean, the content that occasionally drifted into his ears still left him somewhat speechless.

"Single-handedly fought a Mountain Troll and emerged unscathed, defeated a werewolf with bare hands—"

Even Michael, the source of the rumors, was stunned upon hearing these words.

Do you lot know what you are saying?

Then he leaned to the side,

"One Mountain Troll? It was three!"

he stated with convincing mannerisms.

Jia Jia Siting, sitting beside Wizard Sean, held his breath until his face turned crimson.

Wizard Sean sighed and continued organizing his History of Magic notes.

He had completed the framework and filled in the necessary content, but to call it perfect still lacked something.

Tuesday's History of Magic class had been slightly adjusted; Hufflepuff was attending together with Ravenclaw.

Consequently, it was difficult for Jia Jia Siting not to look at Wizard Sean's notes; the young wizard had even performed a secondary breakdown.

All characters and historical events were arranged along a timeline.

Wizard Sean had also more appropriately created another directory table,

categorizing different events and characters and correlating them with specific page numbers.

For instance, the [Collection of Eccentrics] that Jia Jia Siting was currently viewing

included several eccentrics, such as Uric the Oddball and Wendelin the Weird.

Jia Jia Siting read with great relish; he no longer found History of Magic tedious, nor did he need to worry about being confused by the intricate web of events and characters.

Sometimes he could even see Wizard Sean's other notes—both being Masters of Magical Creatures,

how did the contributions of Ms. Elfrida Clagg and Mr. Newt Scamander differ?

How were these contributions layered and accumulated to form the new regulations of the Ministry of Magic?

Wizard Sean had organized this in detail.

Jia Jia Siting naturally glanced over and, before he realized it, had finished reading the entire history regarding magical creatures.

Such efficient learning fascinated him immensely.

Suddenly, he broke out of his immersion; his breathing gradually became rapid, and he whispered:

"Wizard Sean, I think this could totally be published; I have never seen such an interesting History of Magic!"